February 2024
Welcome to the Health Matters newsletter, bringing you public health information, news, and updates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. You are receiving this first edition because of your interest in public health information.

If you wish to continue receiving this newsletter, simply sign up here; otherwise, this will be your last Health Matters newsletter.  
Apply for WalkWorks Grants Now
Grant applications are now being accepted for the WalkWorks program to help communities develop Active Transportation Plans and increase physical activity by connecting local destinations with improved pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks.   

Eligible municipalities can apply for funding to create more pedestrian-friendly spaces for residents. 

Funding is made possible by the Department of Health through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is administered by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM on March 22.
Student Art Contest to Raise Awareness about Tick-Borne Diseases
All first- through sixth-grade students in Pennsylvania are invited to enter the 2024 Lyme Art Contest by creating a video or poster focusing on the theme: “Protect. Check. Remove.” 

The contest is designed to help students learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites, and how to remove ticks that do bite.  

The deadline for entries is 5:00 PM on March 15. Contest information is on the Department of Health’s website. 

For more information on preventing Lyme disease, visit the Department of Health’s website at Tickborne Diseases or follow the Department of Health on Facebook and X. 
Birth/Death Certificates Services Online
The Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries is the official custodian of vital records dating back to 1906 for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Official Pennsylvania birth and death certificates can be ordered online quickly and conveniently 24/7 at https://mycertificates.health.pa.gov/. This is the only authorized vendor to submit an order to for fastest service. Ignore third-party vendors who charge an extra fee and claim they can get faster service. They turn around and submit the order on paper or through the https://mycertificates.health.pa.gov/ website on behalf of people who pay their fee. 
Tracking Respiratory Viruses for Your Health
Winter is respiratory disease season. During this time, a variety of viruses increase in frequency, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

This year, the Department of Health created a “Respiratory Virus Dashboard” where people can view and track flu, COVID, and RSV diseases in their county and across the state. The dashboard is online and updated weekly on Tuesday afternoons: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Flu/Pages/2023-24-Flu.aspx 
Health Equity Summit Registration Now Open
The Department of Health presents the 2024 Health Equity Summit: Joy and Justice on April 4-5. The 2024 Health Equity Summit unites vital stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and disciplines towards the goal of eliminating health disparities in Pennsylvania by 2030.

This dynamic two-day event will foster the emergence of bold and improved solutions that raise awareness about health equity and address differences in health outcomes across communities. Health equity involves holistic effort to grow cultural competence and racial equity while eliminating barriers to optimal health for individuals. The summit will promote collaborative engagement amongst various professionals to ensure that people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can live their healthiest and best lives.
Fruit Pouch Recall
In Fall 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches, which are popular with young children. Brands included in the recall were WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis.

Due to lead being in the product, and the adverse health outcomes associated with ingesting lead, the Pennsylvania Department of Health conducted outreach through a variety of methods. We disseminated health alert notices to physicians and press releases to the media and answered questions from the public to keep residents informed about the lead-related dangers of consuming the pouches’ contents.

The Department has a toll-free lead hotline (1-800-440-LEAD) to provide information about lead poisoning prevention, testing, follow-up, and local resources. 
February Health Awareness Events
Pennsylvania Department of Health | 1-877-PA-HEALTH | health.pa.gov